Parts store customer tries to run down employees

STOCKTON - Two employees of an auto parts store were nearly struck by a car Tuesday afternoon following an altercation with a customer inside their store, authorities said.

The Record

STOCKTON - Two employees of an auto parts store were nearly struck by a car Tuesday afternoon following an altercation with a customer inside their store, authorities said.

The assailant entered the O'Reilly Auto Parts store in the 3200 block of East Hammer Lane about 1 p.m., police said. He began using a racial epithet and acted aggressively toward employees, officers said.

The victims attempted to escort the man out of the store, but the man grabbed a broom and swung it at one of the victims, police said. The victim stepped back to avoid being struck by the broom while his co-worker called 911, authorities said.

When the assailant fled the store, the victims followed him outside to get his license plate number, police said. At that point, the assailant drove toward the victims, forcing both of them to jump onto the sidewalk to avoid being hit by the car, officers said.

The assailant was last seen driving east on East Hammer Lane toward Holman Road in a black four-door 2014 BMW, police said. He was described as an Asian man in his late 20s or early 30s standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 160 to 180 pounds with a white long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and blue and white shoes, authorities said.